Me: Okay. Now working on three stories and college work, I am going to be busy for the freaking rest of the Fall semester. Man, this is giving me a headache.
CTE: Shut up and help us on the stories.
Me: Fine… Oh, and those who are confused about the mystery guy, Hikari is getting hurt by him, but she doesn't want the little girl to know her pain because Namaka reminds her of her own child self. Also, the first chapter doesn't tell about the certain person who Hikari fought is because she doesn't want to talk or be reminded about it. Now, the mystery guy is now introduced so make sure you know.
I don't own S.A.
Chapter 2: Do my eyes deceive me?
"Nani?! We're going to Japan to capture an dangerous criminal who has been assassinating families around the world?!" The young woman asked the old woman in surprise. The old woman nodded and held her hands together.
"Hai, Hikari-chan." Her rough, yet kind, voice answered to the woman. The old woman wore a red cotton suit and cotton pants to keep herself warm. Her leather shoes were kept her feet warm, and her gray hair was tied into a bun to hold her hair into place. Her facial appearance looked like she was still young, but the wrinkles close to her eyes were shown, making her eyes look sharp and smaller.
"There has been recent activities that one of the top five wanted criminals has been threatening families in Japan, and the government accepted our request for us to find this person while they would arrest and interrogate the culprit. The mission will take a long time because the enemy would attack randomly and has sent a threat letter as a warning that the assassin is coming, so all of us would need the best people to figure where the enemy will attack." Hikari frowned and wondered.
"Why does the government need us? Can they figure this out with their agencies?" President Taishou shook her head and explained.
"We, the Taishou family, are famous for their protection as well as finding secret information that other detective agencies couldn't find. We may have been trained under Special Forces around the world, but we do not interfere with the government's work. We follow what they say, find the culprit, and let them do what they do unless they need our assistance as reinforcements." Hikari nodded and looked outside of the window. The members of the Taishou family and the chosen platoons were inside two fast jets to reach to their destination immediately. Hikari, Namaka, and the old woman were in one jet with three other leaders of their platoon and two Lieutenants. The other jet was full of experienced soldiers who have previously taken missions dangerous as this, and Hikari knew that as long she was with the old woman and the child, she wouldn't have to deal with him on the other jet. It has been a long time since she had returned to her birthplace, and she somewhat was excited to return. She also dreaded from returning because she left her friends without a word and her dead family.
She wondered about her friends and their reaction. Hikari did make them worry after her sudden disappearance, but what could she do? She lost her cell phone in the fire, and the Taishou family told her to find anything else that have survived in the burnt debris and leave immediately. It was their policy, and as long she is living with the Taishou family, she must obey and follow what objective she was given; no matter how much she hated the person or the mission. She sighed. It seems that fate was playing with her once again, and this wasn't going to leave her in peace.
"Hika-nee-san! Obaa-san! What's Japan like? Is it like in the shows in cartoons? Are there trees that have pink flowers? Are there toys that are ugly and funny?" Hikari smiled softly, petting the curious girl on the head.
"Hai. It's like that, only much realistic." One of the captains with messy brown hair leaned back, grinning like an idiot and chuckling.
"How long did the kid watch cartoons, Hikari? It's going to be a bad influence on her one of these days." Hikari knew that this captain and the other leader understood Japanese besides her. Therefore, she could talk to one of them without worry and could keep her language strong. A blond-haired Lieutenant who had a buzz cut rolled his eyes and smacked the captain upside on the head.
"Ow! Is that anyway to treat your captain, Lieutenant David?!" Lieutenant David immediately glared at the captain, who cringed under his green eyes.
"It is not how a captain should act, Captain Tony. You must get rid of those ridiculous shows from your laptop, or I will get rid of them." Captain Tony started to whine and beg for David to not erase them, even though Tony has the higher status than David. Annoyed by the captain's persistent begging, the lieutenant immediately tried shaking him off from his foot and sometimes smacking him on the head. The president of the Taishou family looked alarmed when she saw her young granddaughter being interested in such violence.
"Ah! Namaka-chan. Let's go see how far we are to Japan up close." Namaka looked at her grandmother and smiled, nodding enthusiastically. The grandmother stood up and took the little girl's hand, walking away from the violent scene. David stopped what he was doing as everyone stared at both of the idiots with a "ha-ha-you-just-stepped-up-to-the-next-level-of-idiocy" or "did-you-know-that-you-just-made-fools-out-yourselves?" face.
"It's a good thing that Lieutenant David isn't like the Colonel, or we had our hides clean. Right, Captain Nicky?" A red shorthaired man grinned as they were staring at the usual scene when it was just the higher ranks. Hikari looked at the woman who had her brown, wavy hair tied into a low ponytail, waiting for her response. Her brown eyes showed kindness like the old woman, but she had a strict policy from saying such kind words and disrespecting those who are higher than her.
"Lieutenant David and the Colonel are not like each other, Lieutenant Sean. The Colonel is far more skilled and is to be respected at all times. You need to learn to watch your tongue of yours." The redhead backed off and said that he didn't mean anything like that. Another man, who had the small black hair tied to a small rattail, smiled and tried to reassure the platoon.
"Now, now. I'm sure that Lieutenant Sean didn't mean anything." The female captain flushed and retorted back in surprise.
"M-Major Michael? But he needs to learn to-" The man kindly smiled.
"It's just who he is, Captain Nicky. Even though he doesn't take things seriously, he does take missions far more serious and careful like any other officers." Captain Nicky flushed again and bowed her head.
"I-I'm sorry, Major." After the beat up by one of her comrades, the plane was quiet again. David and Nicky were sleeping, getting much rest needed after dealing with the idiots in the plane. Sean and Tony were grinning as they were laughing at the comedy movie, Major Payne. It's too bad that they had bumps on their heads during the movie, curtsey by the enraged brunette woman. Michael was relaxing with the headphones on, probably listening to the classical music.
"Hey, Hikari!" The young woman looked up to see Captain Tony, grinning like he always does. Man… he just reminds her about Tadashi back in Hakusenkan high school.
"Where are you going after this mission is finished?" Hkari didn't know what to say. She wanted to visit her friends in Japan, but… she wasn't sure if they were really there.
"I… I don't know. I have to figure out what to do." She looked up and asked.
"What about you?" He grinned and pointed to himself.
"I am planning to see my folks in Tokyo after this. I mean… you have a family to go visit, right?" Hikari's heart dropped when he asked that question. Everyone, who sensed that something's wrong in the atmosphere, immediately snapped out of their peaceful expressions and scolded the captain.
"Captain Tony!" The female captain scolded, "Don't you remember what happened to Lieutenant Colonel Hanazono?!" Tony froze in fear, realizing what he just said, and panicked.
"Oh cr-"
"Captain." Lieutenant David hissed, and the captain corrected himself, bowing his upper body down.
"I-I'm sorry, Hikari." Hikari smiled. These officers were like another family to her after her original family was killed. Even though she was in a higher rank, she was treated like a little sister instead of a soldier. These people, especially her grandmother, Namaka, and him, heard what happened to her after she was recruited to their platoon.
"It's fine. I'll visit them. After all, I do owe them a lot." Yes. For all the trouble she gave to her family, for pushing her father to send her to rich schools, for making her mother mad when she was cooking, for making her brother worry about her… for getting them killed, she really owe them a lot.
0000
It was tense in his father's office, and only his father was nervous in the room. Sui and Kei Takishima were standing next to his father for the president of the Taishou family to arrive. The two Takishima brothers couldn't get out of this because it was an important matter. Not only that, security has tightened around the house and in every corner, even in their own room. The guards would only let important people to have matters with the Takishima family. Whatever spooked their father must have been an important matter.
"It's so boring!" Sui whined as they continued to wait for the Taishou family. Kei sighed. This was getting pointless on waiting, and they were nowhere in sight or heard. However, he had to scold his little brother since his father is spineless.
"Be patient. They are going to be here any moment now." They waited for another few minutes, and it was too quiet for them. Sui, feeling tired and bored, was going to speak until they heard the intercom speaking.
"Takishima-sama. A member of the Taishou family, Kimajime Taishou, has arrived and said that the president and the other members would arrive later. Until then, they asked permission to do something to the house while the president arrives. Should we let the soldiers in first to do their business?" Satoru pressed the intercom and replied back.
"Hai. Let them what they do. They are known to keep families safe from attacks."
"Hai, Takishima-sama." The intercom went off as the sound of the creaking gates opened for the soldiers. Four, forest-colored trucks with a cloth, covered back drove through and circled around the fountain. A ramp automatically slid down to the ground, and one of the soldiers pulled the metal door, getting all of the other soldiers out.
All of the soldiers had helmets on, and the screen covered their faces, making them faceless. Their black bulletproof vest had many pockets, and their ammo and weapons are connected to their belts. Their leather-gloved hands held equipments, cameras, and sensors to detect any activities around the area and thick-glassed barriers to cover the windows inside of the mansion. They ran around the area, jumped on and off the trees, and land on the ground with their leather boots, cushioning their landing. Some of the members have forest green uniforms and worked on the outside of the mansion, and the others have black uniforms, working inside the mansion.
"Move it, maggots!" One soldier yelled out loud. Without a helmet on, the person is recognizable if they were outside. The person might be a higher rank than all of those who are running around since he was doing all of the commanding. Like any other person, he black hair was a little messy, and his sharp eyes matched the color of his hair. His facial structure was strong and stern, making him fearless and dangerous. The only thing that made him very serious and looked dangerous was the scar on his right cheek that reached from the lower jaw close to his neck up close to the edge of his nose.
"We do not have time left! The president expects us to make everything perfect, so don't mess up the equipment. Remember! One little mistake could blow up everything we work for, and nobody wants to blow up everything! Understood?!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" All of the men yelled out and increased their pace. Sui was watching from out of the window, surprised of how much control that one person had over more than a hundred of soldiers.
"Eh? Otou-san! Nii-chan! That guy is leading all of those guys around like he is the leader. Is he Kimajime Taishou?" Kei answered Sui's wonder by what he remembered.
"Hai. Kimajime Taishou is the grandson of the current president, Kenbo Taishou, and the late president, Gunshou Taishou. He has been taking command after graduating from the Military ROTC in the University of Maryland and Phoenix." They later heard many stomps coming in on spot, and the leader yelling outside. Taking no heed to their arrival, Kei continued.
"He has taken many martial arts classes and is currently a sixth degree black belt. He is only well known through military defenses and combat through news around the world, and he has competed in the Olympics, winning six gold metals. His soldiers, including his superiors, respect him by his leadership and his power." Sui was surprised about this Taishou member and looked back to see that the lined-up soldiers bowing to the Taishou family.
Then, he did a double take.
"Nani?! Nii-chan! Take a look at this!" Kei wondered what was Sui calling him for. When he walked up to the window, he saw the Taishou family walking down the path to their house.
What got him the most was the young woman with long, black hair walking beside the old woman.
"Hikari?"
0000
"Hikari. Remember this. This family is famous for their big cooperation and is well known everywhere. If any one of them happens to them, the Taishou family, including you, is responsible for the situation. You must never show your fear to anyone, no matter how intimidating they are." She glimpsed at Hikari and whispered in compassion.
"If there is any concern, just tell me, and I will help you. Remember, you are a Taishou member, a cousin to Namaka-chan and Kimajime-chan, despite the fact that you are retaining your last name."
The young woman nodded silently as she watched the little girl to make sure that Namaka doesn't trip on the stairs. Hikari didn't recognize the place, but it seemed familiar to her. Of course, the places she went with her high school friends were all the same: big, fancy, and neat. The family that they agreed to protect must be one of the big shot companies, and criminals, who wanted big money, probably targeted them.
A sudden thought of Kei Takishima came to her mind, and she couldn't breathe. Her chest tightened as old memories were crawling into her conscious, making her losing judgment and focus on why she was here. She quickly shook them off and somehow chained those memories back in her mind. Those memories had distracted her from training and studying, and she forced herself to move on, picking up the pieces of her broken heart and putting them back on her own. She had enough of losing the people she held dear, and she trained so much to protect her family, devoting herself to not lose her family again. Her goal changed from dreaming to become a pro-wrestler to defending people without fearing death.
The doors suddenly opened with a bang, and all the soldiers had their heads turned to see two young men and a young boy. They were all surprised to see the Takishima family in public, but Hikari went pale and felt cold, wanting to disappear from everyone's sight.
"Hikari-chaaaan!" The young man, who looked like a high school kid, ran straight to the surprised girl and tried to hug her. Instincts took over her conscious, and she sidestepped away from the man's range, making him crash against the ground. She held her breath, feeling that all eyes were staring straight at her. Hikari really wished that fate would stop playing with her. She already had enough and wanted to go back home, especially away from Kei who seemed to stare at her the most. The grandmother sighed and walked to the father's sprawling figure.
"It's nice to meet you, Satoru-san." The young man quickly stood up and brushed the dirt off his suit.
"Oh! Taishou-san, it's nice to meet you too. I was trying to greet Hikari-chan since we hadn't seen each other for quite a while now." The old woman glanced at Hikari who turned her face away.
"I… see." The father clapped his hands together and smiled.
"I heard many stories about you and your previous achievements, Taishou-san. You have taken so many dangerous missions over the past wars, and you have been through tortures and battles in the field. Everyone says that you are a legend. A piece of history for the next generation to understand the achievements of the Taishou family." The old woman nodded.
"Hai. However, this piece of history is a retired Field Marshal now, and I am placing my hopes on my grandchildren. Therefore, just call me Taishou or Kenbo-san. I feel more comfortable with the name." The grandmother looked at Hikari who was still looking away and back to the adult Takishima.
"It was quite… interesting to see your greeting toward my granddaughter, Hikari." The older Takishima member stuttered and looked at the young woman who bowed her head to not look up.
"G-g-g-g-grand-d-d-d-d-daughter? H-H-Hikari?" Hikari didn't feel comfortable, so the grandmother decided to take action.
"Let's leave to your office to discuss the issue, Satoru-san. My grandchildren will need to work and prepare for the upcoming attacks." Kenbo held the youngest grandchild's hand and walked ahead.
"Come, Namaka-chan. You will stay inside with his youngest child. Adults need to work, especially Hanazono-san." The child whined and asked why every single time when she wanted Hikari to come with them. Satoru looked at Hikari and asked.
"Hikari-chan? Daijoubou?" She bit her lip, not saying anything to her uncle or any of their clients under his orders.
"…"
"Satoru-san. We need to talk in your office." Her grandmother called out to save Hikari from further distress. The baby-faced Takishima hesitated for a bit before walking ahead. The youngest Takishima member looked at his father in worry and back to the young woman. Feeling the tension in the atmosphere, he followed his father without looking back or calling his brother to follow him. When they were gone, Hikari could feel everyone's eyes boring a hole on her back.
Enough. Stop wallowing over someone who just left you and your friends.
Immediately straightening her back and attitude, she yelled out in English with much force and strength in her voice.
0000
"What are you doing, soldiers? You heard President Taishou. Move!" The soldiers sort of moved, but they were still looking at her. The raven-haired man shouted, making things clear about her orders.
"Are you going to stand there and be idiots? You heard what the lady said. Move your sorry butts to your positions!" This time, all soldiers were scrambling and immediately returned to their posts, not wanting to face the end of his wrath. While the men were moving, Kei took his opportunity to rush where Hikari was standing. He stopped behind Hikari and tried to speak her name. The information was too much for him to handle, and the sight of her alive gave him so much joy and happiness.
She was alive. She was there in one piece like nothing happened to her. He was so happy that he wanted to hug her and tell her how sorry he was to leave her. He wanted to make everything up for her and to let her have fun so he could feel that he is having fun. He shook his head quickly and tried to speak her name.
"Hi-"
"Hanazono-chusa." Kei and Hikari turned around to see the scarred man walking toward their direction.
"When you are assigned to any mission, remember to report every activity to me. If there is a problem with the equipment, let Tony-taichou or David-fukutaichou know. Don't do things that are not your assigned section. Is that clear, Hanazono-chusa? " He seemed angry and looked at Hikari with those eyes. Hikari looked down and bowed to the man who was in command.
"Hai. Understood, Taishou-taisa." The colonel nodded and walked by, away from the Takishima heir and the Hanazono survivor.
"Do not forget your loss from our last fight. I win, so you have to follow orders." If the young woman could cringe anymore, she would look like she was saying sorry with her shaking body.
"Hai, Taishou-taisa." Kei glanced at Hikari, and his breathing stopped when he looked at her expression. She looked sad and submissive, reminding himself when he… No! He wasn't going back there again, and he wasn't going to let her feel his pain.
Kei felt anger surging through his veins and glared at the Taishou grandson with an evil aura around him, wanting that man to disappear. How dare he put down her with his words! Hikari is one of the best people who are fair and kind, and that man seemed to take her will away just by one glance. When the man was gone, Hikari stood up straight and looked at Takishima with a sad smile and regretful eyes. Kei looked at her closely at the eyes. Her eyes showed tiredness and pain, speaking out more than what she could say. Signs of giving up were there, and the torture she had been through had Kei freezing where he was standing.
"Gomen nasai, Takishima-sama. I have to work now. Probably, if we have time," she closed her eyes, trying to look cheerful, "we could still talk."
Like a stone, Kei's heart cracked by those words and how they are sounded. He knew that by her ranking, she couldn't speak out like a normal person does. The sadness and pain were right there behind Hikari's words, and the name she addressed to him meant that Hikari no longer had the strength that she once held. The conversation betweem them ended when Hikari bowed to him, letting her long hair flow down from her back, and walked away from him. Kei tried to speak her name out once more, but she was already far away from her hearing range.
He felt himself coming back alive. His muscles were getting tense; his mind cleared any depressing thoughts that held him back; his eyes became sharper and more focused. Kei, who once lost his moral to go on, now had a goal in life and the strength to do something.
Hikari, I will bring you back. I will free you from your cage that you have been forced to live in. Hikari…
"I will bring you home."
It seems that Kei now has a purpose in life when Hikari is seen alive. If you remembered the previous chapter, she has changed a lot because the grandson of the Taishou family, who looks mean, serious, and dangerous, won against her on the fights they had. Tension is rising, and this means that I am gonna work on the other chapters for my stories before the break. Give me criticisms, and I will work on the next chapter even harder.
For terms for ranking and names:
Taichou= captain
Fukutaichou= vice captain
Chusa= lieutenant colonel
Taisa= colonel
Taishou= "Great victory"
Namaka= "Superficial knowledge"
Kimajime= "Person who is too serious"
Kenbo= "Wise mother"
Gunshou= "Army commander"